Standardisation and development of assays for assessment of influenza vaccine correlates of protection

The human influenza virus is the causative agent of one of the most important infectious diseases in the world, causing frequent (seasonal) epidemics as well as pandemics, both of which cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza virus infects all age groups but children and adults over the age of 65 are most at risk of severe morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is recommended for these age groups. Vaccination remains the most effective method to control seasonal infections and the most important strategy to prepare for a possible pandemic. Despite the development and licensure of influenza vaccines along with clinical evidence of their ability to protect against influenza, the potential correlates of protection induced by these vaccines are still not fully elucidated

The availability of a tool-box of standardised, validated serological assays for human influenza vaccines, agreed and used by key parties in the private and in the public sector will have tremendous impact on the R&D process globally, and will pave the way for future investigation and definition of correlates of protection for these vaccines.

The FLUCOP project started March 2015 with a five year duration ending February 2020. The total budget is of €13,999,164 with equal contribution from the IMI and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

SVA - Sclavo Vaccines Association The Sclavo Vaccines Association is a not-for-profit organization devoted to sustaining development and technologies applied to vaccines, one of the most important achievements of humankind to prevent and cure infectious diseases at the global level, and support training and research projects in the vaccine field with particular attention to low-income countries.